Fighter jets for the Air Corps?

sparky42

For those saying "drones can do everything", a list of the current and future UCAV's, which one can perform the roles?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unmanned_combat_aerial_vehicle

Nighttime22

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119894822#Comment_119894822

Why not sure the EU own Ireland now anyway, we do as we're told. It's amazing how our patriotism will allow us to scrounge the 2nd hand jets off em or France 🤣 The idea that were self sufficient and independent is an illusion.

It's how the world works buddy, we wouldn't be long roaring for help off the UK or US if we were invaded in the morning.

But because there are 0 realistic threats we want to shape around like we can defend ourselves. We can't literally In the event of war we will be begging the UK or US to save us. And this is a absolute fact non negotiable.

Having the RAF do it would be more cost effective and alot less hassle, they basically do it as is anyway.

Nighttime22

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119895507#Comment_119895507

Also no need for the name calling keep your emotions in check kid and don't say things you wouldn't dare say to a person's face, it's cowardly calling names from the safety of your keyboard.

Nighttime22

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119896336#Comment_119896336

Why are you still here 6 yrs later calling anyone with an opinion different to yours a troll?

You and your little clique don't own this thread and don't have any authority to instruct people, if you don't want to take part in the active discussion and if all you have to contribute to the thread is your endless crying about everyone else being trolls just keep quiet or set up a private chat where you and your buddies can have the never ending echo chamber you and the other 3 so desperately want.

Other than that get used to people having opinions to yours it doesn't make them trolls.

Larbre34

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119896331#Comment_119896331

I'd call you far worse to your face sunshine.

Nighttime22

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119897784#Comment_119897784

I don't doubt you'd try to!! But you d never be the same after it, it would be such an enlightening encounter you'd find that you d never be able to type nonsense on here again! Your view point would be severely altered 🤣

MAULBROOK

So I take it that a group get together over Christmas is off then.

roadmaster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119898116#Comment_119898116

Well since the UK & there Brexit loving media are dropping hints about trying to have agreements with the EU such as the swiss have anything is possable

Sgt. Bilko 09

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119894440#Comment_119894440

New turkish drone looks like a J-20

Manic Moran

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119898116#Comment_119898116

I wouldn't put it beyond possibility. I'm flying in from Texas...

saabsaab

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119898436#Comment_119898436

Heading that way but still not as flexible as a piloted aircraft. Top speed too low to be an interceptor (500-600 mph?).

Sgt. Bilko 09

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119903228#Comment_119903228

ah no I wasn’t suggesting to get one, I’m in a telegram group and the talk of drones here and coincidentally someone added that photo into the telegram. Some Nice photos of the TFX project etc…

I wouldn’t suggest using turkeys fighters except there F-4s lol museum pieces I know but they are a favourite

banie01

An interesting aside that I spotted whilst reading an article on Argentina's search for new fighter aircraft. A tender that the Chinese/Pak JF17 and India's Tejas are both actively pursuing.

Apparently, the US have made an offer of ex-Danish f16s at $15million an airframe. Now they are early A models but have been upgraded both incrementally and had the F16 mlu upgrades too. Old but still very capable airframes that outclass the Indian offering easily and would probably be on a par with the block 3 version of the JF17.

https://eurasiantimes.com/argentina-puts-indias-lca-tejas-on-backburner-f-16

I am both very surprised that US is offering the airframes to Argentina. It speaks to a decline in UK influence. As well as the airframes themselves not being ringfenced for possible Ukrainian use. There has been quite a lot of talk recently about Ukr and western airframes. The likely candidates on what's available, were ex-NATO F16, ex-Spain,Finland,Aus F18s (A+C model). Not much else is available in any meaningful numbers. Offering those F16s to Argentina? Gives credence to another rumour that I've come across quite a bit since August. That any re-equip of UkAF will be with Gripen. There are quite a few in Swedish/Saab hands that are surplus now that Gripen E is the new baseline.

Larbre34

The US would offer them boneyard F4s for free if it meant keeping a swing Country out of the Chinese orbit, especially one in the Americas.

roadmaster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119927774#Comment_119927774

Id say the yanks are trying to make sure they have another allie in south america

The saab would probably be ideal for the ukraine being able to operate of roads

banie01

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119927811#Comment_119927811

The Finn's also operate their F18s from roadside in a very similar fashion to the Swedes. The Gripen was designed from outset for both dispersed operations and even more importantly IMao. With Russian fighters and their destruction as it's raison d'etre. It is built to be a Sukhoi slayer.

banie01

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119927790#Comment_119927790

The UK have prior to now always managed to exert quite a bit of influence to ensure that no western fighters and in particular no weapons system containing British tech was supplied to the Argentines.

That America are happy to offer 2nd hand f16s? Speaks to a loss of soft power influence on part of UK.

sparky42

It’s certainly interesting if it goes ahead, as mentioned the U.K. has stopped every attempt before so have things changed? There was an article a few months ago on U.K. defence about it, the comments were “negative” about the idea of Argentina getting anything.

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/f-16-jets-for-argentina/

roadmaster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119928226#Comment_119928226

At the end of the day the UK always will bend to what the USA says no ifs or buts about it. If the yanks want argentina under its wing thats what will happen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119928254#Comment_119928254

Could the braszilans get an extra production line going to get.more in the market?

banie01

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119928226#Comment_119928226

Agree. There is mention of the US imposing "restrictions" that is hardly going to matter to the UK and their concerns down south re:Falklands.

I know that the Tejas has some British parts in the fuel system and the radome that won't be granted export license to Argentina. Similar story with some parts on the Sino/Pak JF17 but China have made clear they are moving to an all internal supply chain.

It's not hyperbole to say that the Argentines being offered F16s even old ones. Is a slap in the face to the UK. Yes as part of the great game, it's imperative to the US that China is kept out of their backyard. It really does speak to the decline of Britain's importance within the Anglosphere.

To D'ohvilles point. Yes the Swedes are reactivating the C/D airframes they have in storage. I know they've ordered 60 E's and that was originally contingent upon the Brazil order covering part of the R&D cost.

Saab are still beavering away trying to sell E/F and perhaps the shift in global geopolitical situation will aid that? I don't see them selling to India which is a country they've lobbied hard for the medium fighter contract. IMO that comes down to Dassault or Lockheed with Dassault already with a big foot in the door.

What Saab do have? Is the potential to fill immediate small orders with overhauled C/Ds and then ramp up production of the E in Sweden and perhaps Brazil depending on how that deal is structured. If memory serves, there are 220 or so Gripen built with 160 in service. Most of the stored airframes are Swedish that were mothballed as part of the "peace dividend".

There is a scramble for fighter supply at the moment and the days of turning out 300 spitfires a month are long gone. I think that some very interesting deals and bedfellows could be on the horizon. The US willing to arm Argentina is a sign of things to come.

sparky42

For anything “Western” isn’t at least one of the issues is the MB seats?

sparky42

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119928897#Comment_119928897

I think any rational view of the balance of forces and the politics of the nations back your position that relatively minor strengthening of Argentinas abilities isn’t a threat to the UKs position and the status of the Falklands, however successive British Governments have taken the opposite.

It seems it’s holding a grudge for the sake of it rather than a rational look at the situation.

banie01

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119928897#Comment_119928897

I agree with you. The benefit to be gained by corralling Argentina into a US leaning government is worth more than the hangover of the UK policy to deny any western arms to them.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119928868#Comment_119928868

Not so much in the US sourced gear. The ACESII is a product of Collins Aerospace and ultimately of Raytheon.

Larbre34

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119928933#Comment_119928933

Who, the Tories?

Never.....

tippilot

The US supplying high spec gear on earlier generation aircraft to the Argentinians is not a new development. Take a look at the A4AR Fightinghawk, probably the ultimate (non Israeli at least) incarnation of the A4 Skyhawk ever produced. Basically an F16 in an A4 airframe. And this happened in 1998. When the Falklands/Malvinas hangover was much fresher.

From a geopolitical point of view, the British are well aware of the need to limit the ability of China to expand its sphere of influence. So I'm sure they are on board with any offer made by the Americans.

Regarding the Swedish plans for the JAS39 C/D Gripens. There are no "reactivations", merely retentions. It is planned that a significant number of aircraft previously earmarked for replacement will now continue in service alongside the new model. The Swedish Air Force has actually received it's full ordered allocation of C/D, but there were a few aircraft produced at the end of the production run paid for by the Swedish government with no intention to induct them into the air force, merely to maintain continuity in the production line until the E model took over.

It has been mentioned that there are a number of very low hour A/B aircraft in storage that can be upgraded to the latest C/D iteration available for export. Current spec C model Gripens are highly advanced. Incremental upgrades of Gripen variants are constantly in the pipeline and are mainly software based. Think of it like a operating system.

Nighttime22

Hmmm guys looks like the US is looking to get rid of the F-22 raptor The F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation air superiority fighter that is considered fourth generation in stealth aircraft technology by the USAF. It is the first operational aircraft to combine supercruise, supermaneuverability, stealth, and sensor fusion in a single weapons platform.

I think we should get these because The F-22 has a significant capability to attack surface targets. In the air-to-ground configuration the aircraft can carry two 1,000-pound GBU-32 Joint Direct Attack Munitions internally and will use on-board avionics for navigation and weapons delivery support. Along with being a great fighter jet.

And to be honest The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is perhaps the most advanced air superiority fighter jet in the world right now. The F-22 Raptor fighter got designed as a single-seat, all-weather stealthy tactical fighter that made its first flight on December 7, 1997.

We definitely need these to protect OUR AIR SPACE! AND TO STOP THE RUSSIANS FROM ATTACKING OUR INTERNET ! AND FLYING OVER IRELAND! and besides THE COMMISSION has said so.

Hopefully we get these soon we desperately need them i think we should allocate more funds and increase taxes to get this urgent program off the ground otherwise we will be attacked and taken over.

Nighttime22

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119928254#Comment_119928254

Im hearing thru the dark net channels that Sweden has started re-activating the old squadrons. My ex commando navy seal ranger buddies keep me in the know, infact i hear alot of classified things about multiple militaries around the world so i can chat about them on boards.

Manic Moran

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119929956#Comment_119929956

[MOD] OK, satire is an accepted form of communication on here and I've been fairly patient, but setting up a repeated strawman is getting a bit irritating. Nobody is advocating for anything more than Irish requirements. Do not confuse with Johnnybigwallet's postings which are generally taken as a matter of humour[/MOD]

Nighttime22

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119931476#Comment_119931476

Well in the interest of fairness are you going to go back along and deal with the level of insults being posted by the little clique in here? or is abusing posters with a difference of opinion a reasonable form of communication too?

The satire was well drawn out by a few ignorant elitist posters who believe they can insult who they like and act with impunity on here.

Larbre34

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119929956#Comment_119929956

I'd say your mother took valium like smarties.